Consideration of the geographical distribution of Metaphire sieboldi (Horst,1883) (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) on Kyushu Island, Japan
2016
Kamihira, Y. (Hakodate Junior College, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido (Japan))
The present study was carried out to clarify the distribution of the Japanese earthworm Metaphire sieboldi (Horst,1883) on Kyushu. The survey of 255 locations covering almost all the Island was conducted from 2002 to 2014. This species was collected at 31 locations. The results indicated that M. sieboldi were un-uniformily distributed on Kyushu. Although adding results of information collected by other research fellows, there was no change in the uneven distribution. To find out the cause of this distribution, relationships to the soil type, geology and vegetation at the appearance locations of this species were discussed. The appearance frequency of M. sieboldi was clearly higher in old soils (Yellow-Brown Forest soils, Red-Yellow soils) than in comparatively new soils (Kuroboku soils, Grey Lowland soils). This uneven distribution seems to be mainly affected by weathering volcanic ash (Kuroboku soils) which is the result from the huge Aso-4 eruption, and the result from the Aira caldera formation. Kuroboku soils become a barrier for the distribution of M. sieboldi, and the habitat of this species was estimated in the broad-leaved forest on Kyushu Island.
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